bad test result help!!!!

[bethie_dawn]

I used jungle quick dip test strips last night and i got the following results
nitrate 20 safe zone
nitrite .5 caution zone
total hardness 25 very soft zone
total alkalinity 80 moderate zone (as far as I could tell) gave odd color result
ph 8.4 alkaline zone

What all does this mean and what can I do to help it?
I also got aquarium salt since I have guppies and jungle correct ph tank buddies.
I am not sure how to use the correct ph tablets, do I put it in with the fish in there or do I have to take them out also do I have to take them out to add the salt?
Please Help I am soooooo confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks

 

[Vince]

I used jungle quick dip test strips last night and i got the following results
nitrate 20 safe zone
nitrite .5 caution zone
total hardness 25 very soft zone
total alkalinity 80 moderate zone (as far as I could tell) gave odd color result
ph 8.4 alkaline zone

What all does this mean and what can I do to help it?
I also got aquarium salt since I have guppies and jungle correct ph tank buddies.
I am not sure how to use the correct ph tablets, do I put it in with the fish in there or do I have to take them out also do I have to take them out to add the salt?
Please Help I am soooooo confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks

no need to panic you are in good hands here in MFK. How big is the fish tank? Is it fairly new? Usually, the need for chemicals is not necessary. Your tap water with a dechlorinator should be enough for your fish. No need to increase or decrease the pH. Also, the use of salt is a preventative and not a medication, so if you follow the directions from the box, all should be just fine. What made you or convince you to buy the pH tablets? Guppies are very hardy and could live in fair water conditions. Keep your water at 78 degrees, and maintain a weekly or bi-weekly water change using a dechlorinator, i.e., Amquel Plus. Your tap water pH should be around 7.4 to 7.8 which is ideal for your tropical fish. I am guessing that your local fish store convinced you to use the pH tablets...You don't really need it...if I were you, I would return it, but first, why did you need to use the pH tablets? Keep us posted.

 

[stotty]

I used jungle quick dip test strips last night and i got the following results
nitrate 20 safe zone
nitrite .5 caution zone
total hardness 25 very soft zone
total alkalinity 80 moderate zone (as far as I could tell) gave odd color result
ph 8.4 alkaline zone

What all does this mean and what can I do to help it?
I also got aquarium salt since I have guppies and jungle correct ph tank buddies.
I am not sure how to use the correct ph tablets, do I put it in with the fish in there or do I have to take them out also do I have to take them out to add the salt?
Please Help I am soooooo confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks

First of all what have you got in the tank? Just Guppies? Different fish require different things.PH well a Guppies is happy in anything from 7-8.5 so that’s ok. Guppies need moderate hardness, some added salt (one Tablespoon per five gallons) especially if the water is soft. As for Nitrite Poisoning. ... Feed fish small quantities of foods, and remove any food not consumed that should help that out. Do a weekly water change remove about 15%-20% of the water this will help eliminate ammonia and keep Nitrite at a healthy level for the fish Hope this help

 

[DeLgAdO]

First of all what have you got in the tank? Just Guppies? Different fish require different things.PH well a Guppies is happy in anything from 7-8.5 so that’s ok. Guppies need moderate hardness, some added salt (one Tablespoon per five gallons) especially if the water is soft. As for Nitrite Poisoning. ... Feed fish small quantities of foods, and remove any food not consumed that should help that out. Do a weekly water change remove about 15%-20% of the water this will help eliminate ammonia and keep Nitrite at a healthy level for the fish Hope this help

15-20% seems too little

 

[stotty]

15-20% seems too little

I am banking on its a small tank full of Guppies but yes if large tank 25% but until we get some feedback we are surmising you don’t want to tip the lot out you Bio Orb do youMy son has a small tank with Guppies in we take a 2 pint of it every week and put 2 back its spot on and they are breeding in there like mad.

 

[Ang]

How long have you had the tank set up?
By the reading on your nitrates, it sounds like your tank is either cycled, but needs to have more frequent water changes to reduce ammonia to in effect reduce nitrite.
OR
Your tank is just now finishing its cycle and once the nitrites reach zero, your nitrates could go really high.

That might have been confusing. SOrry

Either way, the best thing you can do is do 20% water changes every 3 days until the nitrites reach 0.
Then continue regular maintenance once a week.
Make sure to use dechlorinator, but like the others said, dont mess with the PH.

When it comes to PH, its best to keep it consistant. Most fish do well in a broad range.
So its actually more harmfull to keep raising it or lowering it each time you do a water change with PH tablets. As long as it is consistant, they will be fine. Consistancy is best achieved by not adding anything to the tank, your tap water will usually keep the same ph.

 

[messiner]

all the chemicals you should be putting in your tank is dechlor. dont use that ph perfect crap. it will bump the ph up and down and this will stress the fish. consistancy is the key.

to better understand your readings i suggest you do some research on the nitrogen cycle. also those quick test strip things are only accurate the first month or so of use. liquid tests are more reliable in my opinion and i would get a master kit. run about 40 bucks here.

 

[bethie_dawn]

I have 8 guppies in a 5 gallon that I thought was a 10 gallon when I got my fish. I am suppose to be getting another tank in a few weeks. The tank and fish have been together about 2 weeks and this is my first set of fish. I did a about 50 to 60% change the day before yesterday that is why I am frecked about the results. I use aquasafe to get ride of the clor.
Will the salt help the hardness because the hardness is very soft.
My friend got the ph tabs when he got the test kit last night just incase.

 

[gomezladdams]

Keep doing the waterchanges,you can add salt for guppies they like hard or brackish return or throw out the ph tabs

 

[bethie_dawn]

When I checked the levels, like I said, the ph was 8.4 which I think is ok but the total water hardness is 25 very soft zone on the stick. Is it possible that it is correct because I thought the two went kind of together. What can I do to raise the hardness but not the ph?